Outdoor environments in care settings have long been overlooked – some might even say treated as secondary, something nice to look at, but little more. Yet research and design tell a different story. Spending time outside supports health, recovery, and well-being. For Nola, it’s always been about creating beautiful and functional places that welcome people of all generations, regardless of age or ability.

Why Outdoor Environments Matter

Spending time outdoors isn’t just pleasant, it’s powerful. “We need to make it easier for people to be outside in every way possible,” says researcher Charlotte Petersson Troije, whose doctoral thesis explores the effects of outdoor work environments on health and well-being. Her model, The Lotus, highlights three essential aspects: exposure to natural light and air, sensory stimulation through greenery, sound and water, and opportunities for movement and recovery.

Although her research focuses on office work, the conclusions apply equally to care and rehabilitation. “There’s overwhelming evidence that contact with nature helps prevent illness, supports recovery, and strengthens both mental and biological resilience,” she explains. “Even a courtyard or a patch of green can make a difference, the key is simplicity and access.”

Removing Barriers

Designers Anette and Tina Blåberg, founders of Good Garden, have spent decades translating research into practice through health-focused design for care homes. “A care home is often the last place someone lives,” they say, “which is why a beautiful, functional environment is essential.”

To make outdoor life part of daily routines, the space must work with the care operation itself. Accessibility is only the beginning, there must also be reasons to go outside. “It can be as simple as a walking loop, spaces for activity or rest, and sensory details like fragrance, water, or birdsong.” Their collaboration with designer Eva Schildt for Nola resulted in Promenad – a series of products that make outdoor activity natural and inviting.

Design that Builds Confidence

For Eva Schildt, good design begins with empathy. “I always think about accessibility, safety, functionality, but also beauty. You should look at a product and feel ‘I want to move’.”

The Promenad series was developed to encourage independence and confidence. “In older age, believing that you can still move on your own is vital,” she says. “Falling is a real fear, but it can be reduced through balance and strength training. The Promenad Walking Bar and Steps help users practice safely and confidently.” A staircase, she adds, is one of the best training tools in the world: “One step up, one step down.”

Taking the Outdoors Seriously

Together, these perspectives remind us that outdoor environments are more than decorative – they are vital to health and quality of life. When research, design, and production align, nature becomes an active part of care. As Petersson Troije puts it, “It’s time we all take the outdoors seriously.”